Up Late

I'm crouched on a couch in my girlfriend's living room. Trying to be quiet 'cause there's room mates all around. And I'm up late 'cause I can't just sleep on a dime, anymore. Which is good and bad, I think. I mean, I like random moments and all, but one does need a schedule to stay somewhat sane, you know? And this go-to-bed-at-9 PM--Saturday-but-go-to-bed-6 AM-Tuesday shit chucks monkey crap in the gears when it comes to planning something reg'lar every day. But I digress. Her hamster and me are the only ones awake. And he's running like a motherfucker on his little wheel. But whenever I move he stops. I'm trying not to move. 'Cause I figure this is his time. When everyone's asleep, Gramps gets the whole room to himself...even though he only needs his cage. And he gets to eat the treats he's stashed away and run like a little blue bugger on his wheel. And I don't want to fuck up his night, you know? Eventually we'll both get tired. I'll crawl back into bed upstairs, and Gramps'll burrow down in his chips and shavings. But for now, I'm just going to hang out on this couch and listen. While Gramps goes to town on his little wheel.


Jim out.

Kind of an Important Blog Roll

I'm gonna do another blog roll today. Not because I'm too busy to do an actual entry. (Truth is I'm currently sitting on the girlfriend's porch, sipping an iced coffee). The reason why I'm blog-rolling today is because I want to draw your attention to an extremely important matter, and this blog says it best.

Rob Mills is a dear, dear friend who's blog, Millsworks.net is one that I frequently go to for laughs, inspiration, and general cool information. Robbo wears many hats, but one of the more vital ones is that of a passionate advocate for fair copyright law. This particular post deals with Michael Geist's report on the much anticipated Copyright Consultation site. This site will be a forum where regular folks like you and me can let our government know exactly where we stand on copyright law in the fabulous world of teh interwebs and beyond.

Please do take the time to read this post and, when it's ready, make your voice heard on the consultation site. Copyright laws are meant to protect ALL of us. Artists, students, teachers, parents, readers, writers, and citizens. It is NOT (as our current douchebag minority government believes) there simply to protect the corporate interests of big media.

These are YOUR laws. This is YOUR government. So stand the fuck up and say something!



Jim out.

Home Stretch!

What a week!

Both of the shows I'm doing at the Fringe are enjoying success, which is a joyful relief. Rock Time received 4 NNNN's from Jon Kaplan in Now Magazine. Here's his review:

http://www.nowtoronto.com/fringe/listing.cfm?listingid=9315

I don't know what I can tell you about Rock Time, other than the fact that I'm extremely proud of it. The cast has worked incredibly hard and managed to create a show that really seems to resonate with children and adults alike. There are moments, when the show is finished, where I pause from wrestling with the set to watch the kids rock out to Iggy Pop or interact with the puppets in the meet and greet. In those moments I'm reminded that I am part of something that is truly good in every sense of the word.

Please do take the time to see the show. There are two left. One today, at 5:40 PM, and one Saturday, at 11:00 AM. 560 Palmerston Ave. You won't be sorry.


Meanwhile, over at the Bingo Show, we got 4 stars from Eye Magazine. Check it out:

http://www.eyeweekly.com/fringe/article/64013

The show has also generated a fair amount of buzz, which is pretty cool. As a show, it's a strange beast. Someone on the boards described it as an "interactive environmental theatre piece", which is as apt as it gets, I suppose.

What I love about the show is the fact that it's not a show at all. There is no audience. Everyone's a participant. And if you win, you end up playing a small role in our story. Sometimes we turn to the people sitting beside us and engage them in conversation. As the preacher who can't keep a secret, I often point out members of our "congregation" and endow them with names and skeletons from their closet. All the while, we quietly dole out what little story we can in order to give a bit of form and substance to the experience.

On nights that it works, it's incredible. Last night we absolutely rocked, and it turned out to be one of the best improv shows I've ever been a part of. But it's taken us a while to find our way. While most people have loved the show (or at least had fun), more than a few people have felt cheated by the looseness of what we're doing. I suppose their points are valid in their own way, but I'm not sure I can offer a solution to their complaints. It's the looseness that allows the cast to discover new moments and make stronger choices for our characters. These choices then help us move the story forward. But it's a game of inches. Every night is a new show. Every night we seem to get better.

This has served to really bond the cast as a performing unit and really forced us to listen to one another and help each other out. Each member of this cast has lent a different character and a different strength to the process. I hope we can carry the show on beyond the Fringe. But if that doesn't happen, it will at least be an experience I'll remember fondly and continue to learn from.

We get 2 more kicks at the can with Bingo the Show. Saturday at 1:45 PM, and Sunday at 4:15 PM. St. Vladimir's Theatre. Check it out!

Once the Fringe Festival is over, it's all about pitching cartoons and planning Zombie film festivals.

Whee!


Jim out.

Bingo Show Videos!

Geez...two blog entries and two shows in one day. Busy fucker, aren't I?

Our first Bingo Show is on tonight, at 10:30 at St. Vladimir's (620 Spadina). Yes, we really play bingo during the show. And yes you can win PRIZES! You also get to meet the congregation of St. Agatha's church. Sadly the church burned down two weeks ago, claiming the life of Reverend Philip Winters.

His widow, Dot. Is bravely carrying on, hosting a bingo night at the Fringe to raise funds to rebuild the church. Here she is explaining the situation:



Dot isn't alone in her plight. She's joined by Beth, the meth-addicted Sunday School teacher with a heart of gold.



Then there's Harvey; a long time parishioner and bingo player who hasn't won a single game in his life.



And finally, there's me! I play Reverend Phil, the hip new minister sent to replace the late Philip Winters.



The show is a ton of fun. Please come! For more info, check out the website at http://www.bingo-theshow.com



Jim out

BRAI...NNNNS!

Jon Kaplan, from Now Magazine was in on yesterday's launch of Rock Time 2009. Here's his review:

http://www.nowtoronto.com/fringe/listing.cfm?listingid=9315

We're off to a pretty great start! The Bingo Show opens tonight at 10:30. I think you should come.

And then there's the Zombie Short Film Festival.

After I opened the email account for it (zombieshortfilmfestival@gmail.com, in case you were wondering...), the first email I got was from my good buddy, Robbo. It simply read:

"You're going to get a buttload of emails."

What followed was a buttload of emails.

Submissions have been pouring in from Canada, the U.S, England and Denmark. Much of last night and most of this morning has been spent answering queries and watching some pretty great stuff online.

I'm getting pretty stoked!

Now, just to book a venue, assemble a jury, get a bunch of sponsors, make a facebook group, make a facebook event, rope a bunch of volunteers...

Holy shit! Who knew unemployment could be so hectic?


Jim Out